Auston Kim went from 1085 to 24 in the Rolex Rankings in just four years. She is a LPGA Tour power hitter with 279.26 yards of driving distance. The 25-year-old Korean-American turned a record -23 Epson Tour Championship win into $3.64 million career earnings.
Despite zero LPGA wins, her three major runner-ups and CME Globe 15th rank prove she is already elite. From Vanderbilt program records to PXG staff player, Auston Kim mixes bookish smarts with bomb-and-gauge golf. Fans now search her net worth, WITB, and swing every week.
Who Is Auston Kim? Epson Tour Record Winner & 2026 Solheim Cup Star
You first notice Auston because of her power. She ranks 7th on the LPGA in driving distance and owns the Epson Tour scoring record at -23. Her rise started at Vanderbilt where she set the lowest 54-hole score in program history.
She earned her 2024 LPGA card after a breakout Epson season with 10 top-10s. Since then, she has posted 12 LPGA top-10s, banked $3.51 million, and grabbed a Solheim Cup spot for Team USA. You’ll see her as the future of American women’s golf.
Auston Kim Bio & Player Profile: 25 Key Facts
This table covers her personal background, Vanderbilt records, and pro career milestones in one quick reference.
Key Takeaways:
- She rose from Vanderbilt record-setter to LPGA top-25 in just four years.
- Her Korean heritage and Fahrenheit 451 hobby make her stand out beyond stats.
- Her family connection shows. Her sister August also played Epson Tour.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Auston Kim |
| Korean Name | 김고은 /Kim Go-eun/ |
| Date of Birth | October 15, 2000 |
| Age | 25 |
| Birthplace | St. Augustine, Florida |
| Nationality | United States |
| Heritage | Korean-American |
| Height | 5’8″ |
| College | Vanderbilt University |
| Degree | Political Science, 2022 |
| Vandy Record | Lowest 54-hole: 200 -16 |
| Amateur Honors | ANWA x2, Curtis Cup 2021, 3x All-America |
| Turned Pro | June 2022 |
| LPGA Rookie Year | 2024 |
| Current Tour | LPGA Tour |
| World Ranking | 24 |
| CME Globe Rank | 15th |
| Career Earnings | $3.64 Million |
| LPGA Wins | 0 |
| Epson Tour Wins | 1 |
| Career Top-10s | 22 |
| Drive Distance | 279.26 yards /7th LPGA/ |
| Equipment | PXG Staff Player |
| Parents | Christopher & Piljo Kim |
| Sibling | August Kim /Epson Tour/ |
From college phenom to Solheim Cup rookie, her path shows how amateur dominance can turn into pro power quickly.
How Old Is Auston Kim and What Is Her Height?
Auston is 25 years old. She was born on October 15, 2000, which makes her one of the younger stars on the LPGA Tour. Her age puts her in the same generation as Grace Summerhays, another rising American talent.
She stands 5 feet 8 inches tall, which is 1.73 m. That height gives her leverage for her 279-yard average. You’ll notice she uses her frame well to generate clubhead speed. At 5’8″, she is taller than the LPGA average and it shows in her power stats.
What Is Auston Kim Net Worth 2026? Prize Money, PXG Sponsors & Earnings Breakdown
Auston went from $11,253 in 2022 to over $1.25 million in 2026 alone. Her net worth now sits between $4.5M and $5M thanks to prize money and her PXG deal.
She earned $428,000 for T2 at the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA and another $428,000 for T5 in 2026. Add the $336,214 from her HSBC runner-up and you see why sponsors love her. She delivers results without a trophy yet.
Auston Kim Net Worth 2026: Event-Wise Prize Money + Sponsor Deals
This table tracks her official earnings chronologically by season, plus sponsor income, ending with total accumulated net worth.
Key Takeaways:
- She jumped from $11K on Epson to $1.3M+ already in 2026 alone.
- Her PXG deal plus bonuses now rival her on-course earnings each season.
- Her three LPGA runner-ups added more money than her entire Epson career.
| Year | Tour/Event | Earnings | Total to Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Epson Tour /12 starts/ | $11,253 | $11,253 |
| 2023 | Epson Tour /21 starts/ | $119,882 | $131,135 |
| 2024 | LPGA Tour /27 starts/ | $588,929 | $720,064 |
| 2025 | LPGA Tour /25 starts/ | $1,704,871 | $2,424,935 |
| 2026 YTD | LPGA Tour /14 starts/ | $1,251,895 | $3,676,830 |
| 2022-2026 | PXG + Bonuses + Appearances Est | $850,000 | $4,526,830 |
| 2022-2026 | Accumulated Net Worth Est | $4.5M-$5M | $4.5M-$5M |
Her money doubled from 2024 to 2025, and a Solheim Cup debut will likely unlock new endorsement tiers next year.
Auston Kim WITB 2026: PXG Driver, Irons & Putter Specs from U.S. Women’s Open
Her bag is built for speed. Auston plays a full PXG setup that was spotted at the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills. The driver is key to her 7th-ranked distance on tour.
You’ll see a PXG 0311 Black Ops driver at 9 degrees with a Tensei shaft. That combo gives her low spin and high launch. Her irons are PXG 0311 P Gen6, which help explain her 88.65% GIR from fairway on Epson. She games a Pro V1x ball for added control.
Auston Kim What’s In The Bag 2026: PXG Setup at U.S. Women’s Open
This table details her PXG clubs, shafts, and specs as seen at the 2026 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills.
Key Takeaways:
- She ranks 7th in distance. This PXG driver setup is built for speed.
- Her iron specs match the 88.65% GIR from fairway stat you saw on Epson.
- Her putting setup is still a work in progress at -0.02 SG.
| Club | Model | Shaft | Spec |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver | PXG 0311 Black Ops | Tensei 1K Pro White | 9°, 45.5″ |
| 3-Wood | PXG 0311 Black Ops | Tensei 1K Pro White | 15° |
| Hybrid | PXG 0317 X | HZRDUS Smoke RDX | 19° |
| Irons | PXG 0311 P Gen6 | KBS Tour-V | 4-PW |
| Wedges | PXG Sugar Daddy III | KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 | 50°, 54°, 58° |
| Putter | PXG Battle Ready II Closer | — | 34″ |
| Ball | Titleist Pro V1x | — | — |
The bag matches her bomb-and-gauge style perfectly. Low-spin driver for distance and player irons for control when she finds the short grass.
Auston Kim Background and Family: Parents Piljo, Christopher & Sister August Kim
Her family shaped her golf path. Auston says she turned pro because of her dad and sister. Her father, Christopher, and mother, Piljo Kim, supported her through junior golf in Florida.
Her older sister, August Kim, was a Big Ten medalist in 2016 and played on the Epson Tour too. That sibling rivalry pushed both of them. You can see the same competitive drive in their games. She grew up in St. Augustine and went to Nease High School before Vanderbilt.
Is Auston Kim Korean? Heritage, Kim Go-eun Name & St. Augustine Roots
She is Korean-American and her Korean name is 김고은. Her parents are from Korea, but she was born and raised in St. Augustine, Florida.
Who Is Auston Kim’s Boyfriend or Husband? Dating Life & Relationship Status
Her dating life stays private. Auston has not shared a boyfriend or husband publicly. She keeps her focus on golf and avoids talking about relationships in interviews.
You won’t find many personal posts on her Instagram either. She shares golf, travel, and practice clips, but not romance. For now, her career is the priority. That’s common for 25-year-old athletes chasing their first major win. You can compare her approach to Marissa Wenzler, who also keeps her personal life quiet.
Auston Kim Vanderbilt Career: ANWA Pioneer, Curtis Cup & NCAA Program Records
She rewrote the Vanderbilt record book. Auston owns the lowest 54-hole score in program history at 200, 16-under par. She won twice in college and earned All-America honors three times.
She became the first Commodore to play the Augusta National Women’s Amateur in 2021. She made the cut and finished T25. She also played in 2022. You can see her amateur pedigree in her poise under pressure today. Her scoring average led the team as a senior.
Her transition was smoother than most because of that elite amateur schedule. She also competed against Anna Morgan and Erica Shepherd in college events. Even Anne Chen, a fellow 2022 grad, took longer to adjust to pro life.
Auston Kim Amateur Career: Vanderbilt Records & National Honors
This table lists her key Vanderbilt achievements, national team selections, and program records from 2018-2022.
Key Takeaways:
- She owns Vandy’s lowest 54-hole score ever at -16.
- Her two ANWA starts made her the first Commodore at Augusta National.
- She made three U.S. Women’s Open starts before turning pro.
| Year | Achievement | Detail | Record/Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | NCAA Auburn Regional | Medalist 210 -6 | Led team to NCAAs |
| 2019 | Cougar Classic | Medalist 200 -16 | Lowest 54-hole in Vandy history |
| 2021 | Curtis Cup | 1 of 12 invited | Team USA |
| 2021-22 | ANWA | T25 2021, Played 2022 | First Commodore |
| 2022 | U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier | Medalist 69-69=138 | 3rd career U.S. Open start |
| 2022 | NCAA Franklin Regional | T4 211 -5 | Team won regional title |
Those amateur results explain why she adapted to pro golf so fast. She had already beaten top fields and played majors before age 22.
Auston Kim Epson Tour Wins: 2023 Tour Championship -23 Record & Race for the Card
She broke through on the Epson Tour in 2023. Auston won the Tour Championship at -23, a tournament scoring record. That victory locked up her 2024 LPGA card and proved her power could win.
Her 2023 season had 10 top-10s in 21 starts. She finished 3rd on the money list with $119,882. You can see the momentum shift after that win. She went from grinding to dominating. The field knew she was LPGA ready.
Auston Kim Professional Wins: Epson Victory & LPGA Runner-Ups
This table covers her lone pro win and her 3 highest-earning LPGA runner-up finishes driving her world rank.
Key Takeaways:
- Her -23 Epson win was a tour scoring record that earned her LPGA card.
- Her 3 LPGA runner-ups are worth 85+ world ranking points combined.
- She is knocking on the door. She is 24th in world with 0 wins.
| Date | Tournament | Tour | Score | Earnings | OWGR Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/05/2023 | Epson Tour Championship | Epson | -23 | $37,500 | — |
| 06/15/2025 | KPMG Women’s PGA | LPGA | -5 | $428,000 | 50.00 |
| 03/02/2026 | HSBC Women’s World | LPGA | -14 | $336,214 | 34.85 |
| 06/21/2026 | KPMG Women’s PGA | LPGA | -3 | $428,000 | 20.67 |
One official win unlocked her career, but those 3 majors runner-ups built her $3.5M bank and top-25 rank. You can compare her rise to Camille Boyd, another Epson grad who needed time to adjust.
Auston Kim LPGA Stats 2026: Driving Distance, Strokes Gained & Major Results
She ranks 7th in driving distance at 279.26 yards. Her strokes gained total is +0.63, with +0.43 off the tee. That means she gains nearly half a shot per round just driving.
Her approach game is the gap at -0.06 SG. Yet when she hits the fairway, she is elite. She ranks 5th in sub-par from fairway. You saw that skill at the 2026 Evian where she finished 9th. Her scoring average is 71.21, good for 42nd on tour.
Auston Kim Career Stats: Epson Tour vs LPGA Power Profile
This table compares her key performance stats on Epson 2022-23 vs LPGA 2024-26 to show her transition.
Key Takeaways:
- Her 281-yard Epson distance held up at 279 yards on LPGA.
- Her fairway game is elite on both tours. She ranks top-15 GIR from FW to top-5 Sub-Par.
- Her putting is the gap. She averages 1.82 Epson vs 1.80 LPGA putts/GIR.
| Stat | Epson 2022-23 | LPGA 2024-26 | LPGA Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive Distance | 281.43 yds | 279.26 yds | 7th |
| Drive Accuracy | 63.64% | 60.81% | 980th |
| GIR | 77.65% | 70.36% | 76th |
| GIR from Fairway | 88.65% | 80.19% | — |
| Sub-Par from FW | 22nd rank | 5th rank | 5th |
| Birdie or Better % | 22.28% | 21.99% | 15th |
| Scoring Avg | 71.156 | 71.212 | 42nd |
| Putts per GIR | 1.82 | 1.80 | 90th |
The data shows she is a top-10 driver and top-5 when in position. Iron improvement from -0.06 SG Approach is her path to win #1. That profile mirrors Emma McMyler, another long hitter working on irons.
Why Is Auston Kim Ranked 24th With 0 LPGA Wins? Ranking Points & Runner-Ups
She has 85.67 points from her last three majors. T2 at 2025 KPMG gave 50 points. T5 in 2026 added 20.67. Her 9th at Evian added 15 more. You don’t need wins when you pile up big points in majors. The Rolex Rankings reward consistency at the top.
Auston Kim Swing Analysis: Bomb-and-Gauge Power, Fairway Weapon & Approach Gap
She uses her 5’8″ frame to create speed. Her swing is built for power, not finesse. You’ll see a wide takeaway and aggressive lower body. That’s why she is 7th in driving distance.
When she finds the fairway, she attacks. Her 5th-ranked sub-par from fairway rate proves it. The issue is approach play. At -0.06 SG, she loses shots with irons. If she cleans that up, she wins. Her coach works on tempo to tighten dispersion. Watch her at the range with Latanna Stone and you’ll see similar speed drills.
Auston Kim Social Media Presence: Instagram Followers & Posts
She keeps it clean and pro-focused. Her Instagram @austonkim has 5,993 followers and 253 posts. You’ll see swing clips, PXG gear, and travel photos. She lists “Vanderbilt Alumna ⚓ 🇺🇸🇰🇷” in her bio.
She posts workouts, course photos, and sponsor content. No drama, no boyfriend posts. Just golf. Her engagement rate is strong for a player without a win. Fans love the power and personality. She replies to comments after big rounds. That connection helps her brand grow alongside players like Rachel Kuehn.
Has Auston Kim Won a Major? KPMG Women’s PGA T2, Evian 9th & HSBC Runner-Up
She has not won a major yet. But she has come close. She finished T2 at the 2025 KPMG Women’s PGA, one shot back. She was T5 at the 2026 KPMG and 9th at the 2026 Evian Championship.
Her best non-major is 2nd at the 2026 HSBC Women’s World Championship. She shot -14 and earned 34.85 points. You can feel a win coming. She leads in par-5 scoring when she’s in form. That’s why she contends at long courses. She played practice rounds with Dianna Lee before Evian.
Auston Kim Solheim Cup 2026: Team USA Points, Netherlands Debut & Role
She sits 4th in U.S. Solheim Cup points. That makes her an auto qualifier for Team USA. Her debut comes in September 2026 in the Netherlands. Captains love her power for fourball.
She can overpower shorter courses and flip momentum fast. You’ll likely see her paired with a steady iron player. Her energy and length fit match play. The team room will boost her confidence. Expect her to play at least three matches. She trained with Briana Chacon at past national camps.
Auston Kim Career Earnings vs Top LPGA Stars: Salary Comparison 2024-2026
She has banked $3.64M in just 2.5 LPGA seasons. Her $1.7M in 2025 ranked 32nd on the money list. For 2026, she’s already past $1.25M and sits 15th on the CME Globe.
Compare that to peers who turned pro in 2022. She out-earned most of them without a win. Her runner-ups pay like victories. You can see the value of consistent top-5s. That puts her ahead of many one-time winners. She’s on pace to pass Gina Kim in career money this year.
Conclusion
Auston Kim has redefined the “winless but elite” label on the LPGA Tour. With 7th-ranked driving distance, 5th in sub-par from fairway, and $3.64 million earned before age 26, her Epson Tour grind to Solheim Cup stardom is the new blueprint.
The Vanderbilt grad owns 0 trophies but 85+ world ranking points from majors, proving power and poise beat pedigree. As her PXG bag, net worth, and Rolex Rankings keep climbing, Auston Kim is one approach-shot tweak away from becoming America’s next major champion.
FAQs
What is Auston Kim’s nationality?
She is American with Korean heritage. She was born in St. Augustine, Florida and represents the United States.
Who are Auston Kim’s parents?
Her parents are Christopher and Piljo. She credits both of them, along with her sister, for pushing her toward pro golf.
How tall is Auston Kim?
She stands 5 feet 8 inches tall, which is 1.73 meters. Her height helps generate her 279-yard driving average.
Has Auston Kim won on the LPGA Tour?
She has not won yet. She has one Epson Tour win and three LPGA runner-up finishes, including T2 at a major.
What is Auston Kim’s world ranking?
She is currently ranked 24th in the Rolex Rankings. She climbed from 1085 to 24 in just four years.
What is Auston Kim’s net worth in 2026?
Her estimated net worth is between $4.5M and $5M. It comes from $3.64M in career prize money plus PXG sponsors and bonuses.
Who is Auston Kim’s boyfriend?
She keeps her dating life private and has not shared a boyfriend publicly. She stays focused on golf and avoids discussing relationships in interviews.
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Ahmed Hassan is the lead golf writer at CelebDecoded.com with 2+ years of experience covering PGA Tour, LIV Golf, Player Profiles, net worth, WITB and rankings. He focuses on delivering accurate, research-based golf news and analysis.